Intercellular Communication Signaling Research Articles

TAZ downregulated ANXA1 expression to modulate myeloma cell interactions with bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells

We and others have previously shown that TAZ plays a tumor suppressive role in multiple myeloma. However, recent reports suggest that molecular crosstalk between the myeloma cells and bone marrow stromal components contributes to the myeloma cell survival and drug resistance. These reports further point to reciprocal interaction via adhesion molecules as the most prominent mechanism of intercellular crosstalk between myeloma cells and bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs). YAP/TAZ silencing/expression has been shown to correlate across all cancers with a set of adhesion/extracellular matrix proteins. Therefore, we hypothesized that TAZ may regulate myeloma cell interaction with BM stromal cells by influencing the expression of distinct cell adhesion signatures. We used previously established TAZ myeloma cell line models, including DELTA47-pLENTI or TAZ knockout DELTA47 cells cocultured with or without BM-MSCs, as our study models. Using RNA sequencing analysis, we performed the first comprehensive screen for cell adhesion-related transcriptional targets of TAZ in multiple myeloma (MM). In doing so, we uncovered an enrichment of cell adhesion-related genes in TAZ knockout DELTA47 cells relatively to pLENTI-DELTA47 cells, including 11 genes with log2 fold change > 2 (p < 0.05), namely, ANXA1, ADGRL2, NCAM1, NCAM2, ADGRL3, CXADR, ALCAM, JAM2, KIRREL1, KIRREL2, and ADGRG7, suggesting possible relationship with TAZ. We validated ANXA1 as a bona fide target of TAZ in MM. We show that TAZ represses myeloma cell migration and interaction with BM-MSCs by transcriptionally downregulating ANXA1 expression via TEAD-dependent mechanism. Our data provide new insights into the understanding of the role of TAZ in the intercellular communication signals between myeloma cells and BM-MSCs. Our findings also suggest that ANXA1 represents a putative cell adhesion target to attenuate BM-MSC driven, tumor-promoting interaction with myeloma cells.

Investigation of cellular communication and signaling pathways in tumor microenvironment for high TP53-expressing osteosarcoma cells through single-cell RNA sequencing.

Osteosarcoma (OS) stands as the most prevalent primary bone cancer in children and adolescents, and its limited treatment options often result in unsatisfactory outcomes, particularly for metastatic cases. The tumor microenvironment (TME) has been recognized as a crucial determinant in OS progression. However, the intercellular dynamics between high TP53-expressing OS cells and neighboring cell types within the TME are yet to be thoroughly understood. In our study, we harnessed the single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) technology in combination with the computational tool-Cellchat, aiming to elucidate the intercellular communication networks present within OS. Through meticulous quantitative inference and subsequent analysis of these networks, we succeeded in identifying significant signaling pathways connecting high TP53-expressing OS cells with proximate cell types, namely Macrophages, Monocytes, Endothelial Cells, and PVLs. This research brings forth a nuanced understanding of the intricate patterns and coordination involved in the TME's intercellular communication signals. These findings not only provide profound insights into the molecular mechanisms underpinning OS but also indicate potential therapeutic targets that could revolutionize treatment strategies.

Multidrug-Resistant Biofilm, Quorum Sensing, Quorum Quenching, and Antibacterial Activities of Indole Derivatives as Potential Eradication Approaches.

Challenges encountered in relapse of illness caused by resistance of microorganisms to antimicrobial agents (drugs) are due to factors of severe stress initiated by random use of antibiotics and insufficient beneficial approaches. These challenges have resulted to multiple drug resistance (MDR) and, subsequently, biofilm formation. A type of intercellular communication signal called quorum sensing (QS) has been studied to cause the spread of resistance, thereby enabling a formation of stable community for microorganisms. The QS could be inhibited using QS inhibitors (QSIs) called quorum-quenching (QQ). The QQ is an antibiofilm agent. Indole derivatives from plant sources can serve as quorum-quenching eradication approach for biofilm, as well as a promising nontoxic antibiofilm agent. In other words, phytochemicals in plants help to control and prevent biofilm formation. It could be recommended that combination strategies of these indoles' derivatives with antibiotics would yield enhanced results.

Abstract 633: Delineating tumor-neural communication in brain metastasis with spatiotemporal transcriptomic analysis and multi-cellular crosstalk modeling

Abstract Brain metastases are diagnosed in 20-40% of all cancer patients. Despite the advancements in neurosurgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, one-year survival of metastatic brain tumor patients still within a single digit such that brain metastases constitute about 20% of annual cancer deaths. These facts clearly indicate a critical need for better understanding of mechanisms that promote the growth of brain metastases. Emerging data, including ours, indicate that different types of metastatic cancer cells leverage dissimilar sets of neurotransmitters to favor their outgrowth in the brain. However, there are over sixty types of neurotransmitters in the brain being synthesized and released by various types of neural cells, we need a systemic investigation of how they mediate the pathogenesis of brain metastases in concert. Since neurotransmitters, gliotransmitters, neurotrophic factors, and neural cytokines, called neuroactive substances, are the most abundant and key intercellular communication signals in the brain, we hypothesize that tumor cells leverage these neuroactive substances to assimilate into neural circuitry via communicating with neural cells including neurons, astrocytes, microglia, oligodendrocyte, and others, in promoting the vicious circle of tumor-neural crosstalk during brain metastasis development. By performing spatial transcriptomics analysis on mouse brain sections bearing metastatic tumors, we found that tumor lesions at different locations and even tumor-surrounding areas in the brain regions could be differentiated into different cellular clusters based on gene transcriptomic expressions. We further predicted several paracrine and autocrine signaling between and within tumors as well as tumor-surrounding neural niches in different tumor locations (e.g., centers or edges), of different tumor sizes, and at various tumor development stages, using our Cell-Cell Communication Explorer (CCC-Explorer) modeling software. Functional experiments were conducted to demonstrate that cell type-specific depletion of the secreted NSs deactivated the activities of corresponding receptors and downstream signaling in co-cultured metastatic brain tumor cells. Characterizing spatiotemporal tumor-neural crosstalk in the brain metastatic niche would provide a new strategy in the development of novel and effective therapeutics of brain metastases. Citation Format: Xin Wang, Ying Zhu, Jianting Sheng, Hong Zhao, Stephen Wong. Delineating tumor-neural communication in brain metastasis with spatiotemporal transcriptomic analysis and multi-cellular crosstalk modeling [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 633.

Bio‐Imaging quorum sensing signal molecules in a soil‐mimic gel

Rhizosphere, the narrow region surrounding plant roots directly influenced by root exudates and the root associated microbiome, plays an important role in plant productivity and the rhizosphere is well known for stimulating microbial metabolic activities. How microbial communities interact to form stable, metabolically interconnected functional communities is an area of intense interest. The question remains on how microbially produced secreted molecules that function as intercellular communication signals shape the structure and function of microbial communities. Our goal is to detect and quantify signal molecules produced by microbes or plants in the root‐soil environment, spatially and temporarily. As a proof‐of‐concept, we are imaging diffusible extracellular microbial metabolites involved in a bacteria‐bacteria communication process called quorum‐sensing. Quorum‐sensing relies on the accumulation of high concentrations of signal molecules in the environment to control bacterial gene expression, influencing rhizosphere colonization and plant health. Local concentration of quorum sensing molecules are determined using aptamer based sensors. Aptamers that can specifically bind the desired signal molecules are selected through SELEX and immobilized on the surface of nano‐porous membranes. Binding of the signal molecules and aptamer covered surface results in changes in surface charge distribution and steric hinderance and thus modifying the transmembrane ionic transport. Changes in transmembrane impedance can be measured through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy methods to monitor local concentrations of signal molecules. Sensor responses were determined for different concentrations of signal molecules and results showed detection of C4‐HSL in a soil‐mimic solution with KD of 10 nM. We demonstrate that the quorum‐sensing signal molecule C4‐homoserine lactone and (C4‐HSL) can rapidly diffuse in a soil‐mimic gel, providing evidence for our use of a soil‐mimic for further aptasensor development and validation. The sensors were then inserted into soil mimic gel for monitoring C4‐HSL diffusion and the resulted impedance changes were used to determine the C4‐HSL concentration at different positions in the gel. Measurements of local C4‐HSL concentrations variation and numerical solution of diffusion equation were used to create 4D images of C4‐HSL molecule diffusion in the soil‐mimic gel.

Abstract P5-06-01: Spatiotemporal gene expression analysis to identify novel tumor-neural crosstalk in TNBC brain metastases

Abstract Brain metastasis (BrM) occurs in 25-40% of TNBC metastatic patients while one-year survival remains a single digit. In contrast to other primary subtypes, TNBC usually spreads to the brain rapidly at early stages or even before the diagnosis of primary cancer. The shorter development time of BrM in TNBC and shorter survival time after BrM diagnosis may indicate a certain innate ability of TNBC cells in adapting to the brain. Recent seminal findings and our studies identified enriched and diverse expressions of neurotransmitters receptors, transporters, and key synthesis enzymes in brain metastatic TNBC cells. Since neurotransmitters, gliotransmitters, neurotrophic factors, and neural cytokines, called neuroactive substances (NSs), are the most abundant and key intercellular communication signals in the brain, we hypothesize that tumor cells leverage NSs to assimilate into the neural circuitry via communicating with various types of neural cells, including astrocytes, microglia/macrophages, oligodendrocytes and so on, to reinforce tumor-neural crosstalk in the development of BrM. By performing spatial transcriptomics experiments on mouse brain tissue sections bearing TNBC metastatic tumors, we found that brain regions, tumor lesions at different locations, and even tumor-surrounding areas were well separated into different clusters based on the spatial gene expressions and further predicted several novel paracrine and autocrine signalings between/within tumors and tumor-surrounding neural niches under different conditions, including tumor locations, tumor sizes, tumor center vs. edges, and stages of tumor development using the Cell-Cell Communication Explorer (CCCExplorer), a computational modeling tool for multi-cellular crosstalk and intracellular signaling developed by our lab. We conducted functional experiments to demonstrate that cell type-specific depletion of the secreted NSs deactivated the activities of corresponding receptor and downstream signaling using a cellular co-culture BrM system. The presented study indicates that the characterization and identification of spatiotemporal tumor-neural crosstalk in the BrM metastatic niche would open up a new vista for discovering novel therapeutics targets for devastating metastatic brain tumor. Citation Format: Hong Zhao, Xin Wang, Jianting Sheng, Shan Xu, Dongbing Gao, Stephen Wong. Spatiotemporal gene expression analysis to identify novel tumor-neural crosstalk in TNBC brain metastases [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2021 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2021 Dec 7-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-06-01.

Extracellular Vesicles Loaded miRNAs as Potential Modulators Shared Between Glioblastoma, and Parkinson's and Alzheimer's Diseases.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the deadliest brain tumor. Its poor prognosis is due to cell heterogeneity, invasiveness, and high vascularization that impede an efficient therapeutic approach. In the past few years, several molecular links connecting GBM to neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) were identified at preclinical and clinical level. In particular, giving the increasing critical role that epigenetic alterations play in both GBM and NDDs, we deeply analyzed the role of miRNAs, small non-coding RNAs acting epigenetic modulators in several key biological processes. Specific miRNAs, transported by extracellular vesicles (EVs), act as intercellular communication signals in both diseases. In this way, miRNA-loaded EVs modulate GBM tumorigenesis, as they spread oncogenic signaling within brain parenchyma, and control the aggregation of neurotoxic protein (Tau, Aβ-amyloid peptide, and α-synuclein) in NDDs. In this review, we highlight the most promising miRNAs linking GBM and NDDs playing a significant pathogenic role in both diseases.

Epigenetic regulation of intercellular communication in the heart.

The myocardium is a highly structured tissue consisting of different cell types including cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells, inflammatory cells, and stem cells. Microvascular endothelial cells are the most abundant cell type in the myocardium and play crucial roles during cardiac development, in normal adult myocardium, and during myocardial diseases such as heart failure. In the last decade, epigenetic changes have been described regulating cellular function in almost every cell type in the organism. Here, we review recent evidence on different epigenetic changes that regulate intercellular communication in normal myocardium and during myocardial diseases, including cardiac remodeling. Epigenetic changes influence many intercellular communication signaling systems, including the nitric oxide, angiotensin, and endothelin signaling systems. In this review, we go beyond discussing classic endothelial function (for instance nitric oxide secretion) and will discuss epigenetic regulation of intercellular communication.

From the Editor’s desk....: September 2018

From the Editor’s desk....: September 2018

Intercellular Communication via the comX-Inducing Peptide (XIP) of Streptococcus mutans.

Gram-positive bacteria utilize exported peptides to coordinate genetic and physiological processes required for biofilm formation, stress responses, and ecological competitiveness. One example is activation of natural genetic competence by ComR and the com X -inducing peptide (XIP) in Streptococcus mutans Although the competence pathway can be activated by the addition of synthetic XIP in defined medium, the hypothesis that XIP is able to function as an intercellular signaling molecule has not been rigorously tested. Coculture model systems were developed that included a "sender" strain that overexpressed the XIP precursor (ComS) and a "responder" strain harboring a green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter fused to a ComR-activated gene (comX) promoter. The ability of the sender strain to provide a signal to activate GFP expression was monitored at the individual cell and population levels using (i) planktonic culture systems, (ii) cells suspended in an agarose matrix, or (iii) cells growing in biofilms. XIP was shown to be freely diffusible, and XIP signaling between the S. mutans sender and responder strains did not require cell-to-cell contact. The presence of a sucrose-derived exopolysaccharide matrix diminished the efficiency of XIP signaling in biofilms, possibly by affecting the spatial distribution of XIP senders and potential responders. Intercellular signaling was greatly impaired in a strain lacking the primary autolysin, AtlA, and was substantially greater when the sender strain underwent lysis. Collectively, these data provide evidence that S. mutans XIP can indeed function as a peptide signal between cells and highlight the importance of studying signaling with an endogenously produced peptide(s) in populations in various environments and physiologic states.IMPORTANCE The comX-inducing peptide (XIP) of Streptococcus mutans is a key regulatory element in the activation of genetic competence, which allows cells to take up extracellular DNA. XIP has been found in cell culture fluids, and the addition of synthetic XIP to physiologically receptive cells can robustly induce competence gene expression. However, there is a lack of consensus as to whether XIP can function as an intercellular communication signal. Here, we show that XIP indeed signals between cells in S. mutans, but that cell lysis may be a critical factor, as opposed to a dedicated secretion/processing system, in allowing for release of XIP into the environment. The results have important implications in the context of the ecology, virulence, and evolution of a ubiquitous human pathogen and related organisms.

Chemical Mediation of Ternary Interactions Between Marine Holobionts and Their Environment as Exemplified by the Red Alga Delisea pulchra

The need for animals and plants to control microbial colonization is important in the marine environment with its high densities of microscopic propagules and seawater that provides an ideal medium for their dispersal. In contrast to the traditional emphasis on antagonistic interactions of marine organisms with microbes, emerging studies lend support to the notion that health and performance of many marine organisms are functionally regulated and assisted by associated microbes, an ecological concept defined as a holobiont. While antimicrobial activities of marine secondary metabolites have been studied in great depth ex-situ, we are beginning to understand how some of these compounds function in an ecological context to maintain the performance of marine holobionts. The present article reviews two decades of our research on the red seaweed Delisea pulchra by addressing: the defense chemistry of this seaweed; chemically-mediated interactions between the seaweed and its natural enemies; and the negative influence of elevated seawater temperature on these interactions. Our understanding of these defense compounds and the functional roles they play for D. pulchra extends from molecular interactions with bacterial cell signaling molecules, to ecosystem-scale consequences of chemically-controlled disease and herbivory. Delisea pulchra produces halogenated furanones that antagonize the same receptor as acylated homoserine lactones (AHL)-a group of widespread intercellular communication signals among bacteria. Halogenated furanones compete with and inhibit bacterial cell-to-cell communication, and thus interfere with important bacterial communication-regulated processes, such as biofilm formation. In a predictable pattern that occurs at the ecological level of entire populations, environmental stress interferes with the production of halogenated furanones, causing downstream processes that ultimately result in disease of the algal holobiont.

Evidence-based medicine and Web 2.0: friend or foe?

<h3>ABSTRACT</h3> Crosstalk between tumor cells and other cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a crucial role in tumor progression, metastases, and therapy resistance. We present iTALK, a computational approach to characterize and illustrate intercellular communication signals in the multicellular tumor ecosystem using single-cell RNA sequencing data. iTALK can in principle be used to dissect the complexity, diversity, and dynamics of cell-cell communication from a wide range of cellular processes.

Growth factors in multiple myeloma: a comprehensive analysis of their expression in tumor cells and bone marrow environment using Affymetrix microarrays

BackgroundMultiple myeloma (MM) is characterized by a strong dependence of the tumor cells on their microenvironment, which produces growth factors supporting survival and proliferation of myeloma cells (MMC). In the past few years, many myeloma growth factors (MGF) have been described in the literature. However, their relative importance and the nature of the cells producing MGF remain unidentified for many of them.MethodsWe have analysed the expression of 51 MGF and 36 MGF receptors (MGFR) using Affymetrix microarrays throughout normal plasma cell differentiation, in MMC and in cells from the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment (CD14, CD3, polymorphonuclear neutrophils, stromal cells and osteoclasts).Results4/51 MGF and 9/36 MGF-receptors genes were significantly overexpressed in plasmablasts (PPC) and BM plasma cell (BMPC) compared to B cells whereas 11 MGF and 11 MGFR genes were overexpressed in BMPC compared to PPC. 3 MGF genes (AREG, NRG3, Wnt5A) and none of the receptors were significantly overexpressed in MMC versus BMPC. Furthermore, 3/51 MGF genes were overexpressed in MMC compared to the the BM microenvironment whereas 22/51 MGF genes were overexpressed in one environment subpopulation compared to MMC.ConclusionsTwo major messages arise from this analysis 1) The majority of MGF genes is expressed by the bone marrow environment. 2) Several MGF and their receptors are overexpressed throughout normal plasma cell differentiation. This study provides an extensive and comparative analysis of MGF expression in plasma cell differentiation and in MM and gives new insights in the understanding of intercellular communication signals in MM.

Ubiquitous Expression of TNF‐α/Cachectin Immunoreactivity in Human Endometrium

Emerging evidence suggests that cytokines play significant roles as intercellular communication signals in human endometrium. In the present report, an immunohistochemical staining method and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) specific polyclonal antibody was used to identify potential in vivo sources of this cytokine in human endometrium. During the proliferative and early secretory phases of the menstrual cycle, glandular epithelium was distinctly free of any immunoreactive product. With the emergence of mid- and particularly late-secretory phases, however, some glandular epithelial cells started to express TNF-alpha. In the late secretory phase, glands exhibiting strong staining were adjacent to those that were negative for TNF-alpha or only sparingly contained positively immunostained cells. Remarkably, the glandular epithelium constituted a major source of enhanced expression of TNF-alpha during gestation. In the proliferative phase, virtually all stromal cells strongly expressed TNF-alpha, and in the secretory phase, some variability of staining could be observed among various stromal cells. In gestational endometria, decidual cells and in all endometria, endothelial cells strongly expressed immunoreactivity for TNF-alpha. These data demonstrate that various constituents of endometria are constitutively primed to express TNF-alpha and that this expression is distinctly associated with the changes in endometrium that are compelled by hormonal stimuli.

Human Endometrium: An Active Site of Cytokine Production and Action*

I. Introduction Complex interactions of a network of cells comprised of epithelial, stromal, endothelial, and lymphoid cells in human endometrium are displayed as orchestrated phases of proliferation, differentiation, and menstrual shedding. It is clear that these dynamic cell-to-cell interactions require a well developed array of intercellular communication signals. Many of the changes that occur in human endometrium are reminiscent of those associated with the inflammatory and reparative processes. Thus, it is not surprising that emerging evidence suggests the involvement of proinflammatory cytokines in endometrial reactions. Expression of the receptors for cytokines, production of these factors by endometrial cells, and regulation of endometrial functions by these factors all indicate the potential of cytokines to serve at autocrine, paracrine, and endocrine levels in human endometrium. In the succeeding sections, the emerging evidence for the role of cytokines in human endometrium is presented. In thi...